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Increased urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone but not 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in premenopausal women during a soya diet containing isoflavones.

Asian diets high in soy are associated with lower risk for breast cancer compared with Western diets. Moreover, higher levels of two putative carcinogenic metabolites of 17beta-estradiol, 4- and 16alpha-hydroxyestrogen, and lower amounts of anticarcinogenic metabolites, 2-hydroxyestrogens, have been associated with greater breast cancer risk. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that consumption of a soya diet containing the weakly estrogenic isoflavones genistein and daidzein may alter the metabolism of 17beta-estradiol to 2- and 16alpha-hydroxylated products. Eight pre-menopausal women were placed on a soya-containing, constant diet in a metabolic unit. The diet provided 400 kilocalories from soymilk and 113-202 mg/day (158 +/- 26 mg/day, mean +/- SD) isoflavones daily for a complete menstrual cycle. After a washout period of 4 months, the subjects consumed the same diet, but with soymilk that contained <4.5 mg/day isoflavones ("isoflavone-free"). Urine samples were collected for 24 h daily for the entire cycle during each soya diet period for the analysis of daidzein, genistein, and 2- and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. Subjects excreted measurable amounts of daidzein (11.6-39.2 mg/day) and genistein (2.9-18.2 mg/day) during the isoflavone-rich soya diet but not during the isoflavone-free soya diet. The diet rich in isoflavones increased the cycle mean daily urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone (averaged over the entire cycle) from 11.6 +/- 2.06 to 17.0 +/- 2.96 nmol/12-h (P = 0.03), a 47% increase. However, the mean daily excretion of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone did not change (7.0 +/- 1.14 nmol/12-h during the isoflavone-free and 7.7 +/- 1.25 nmol/12-h during the isoflavone-rich diet; P = 0.36). The ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone was higher during the isoflavone-rich soya diet (2.6 +/- 0.34) than during the isoflavone-free diet (2.0 +/- 0.32; P = 0.01), a 27% increase. These results suggest that soya isoflavones increase the metabolism of endogenous estrogens to the protective 2-hydroxylated estrogens in women, and this may play an important role in lowering 17beta-estradiol levels and the long-term risk for breast cancer.

Adult↗

Structural and stereoisomer effects of model estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts: N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6(alpha,beta)-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine and N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6(alpha,beta)-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine.

An extensive conformational analysis has been carried out for two diastereoisomeric pairs of model estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts, N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6(alpha,beta)-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (2-OHE1-6(alpha,beta)-N6-dA) and N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6(alpha,beta)-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (2-OHE1-6(alpha,beta)-N2-dG), in a B-DNA duplex and at a primer-template junction in a pol alpha family DNA polymerase. In vitro primer extension studies in pol alpha [Terashima, I., et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 13807-13815] have shown that the adenine adducts can incorporate dT, together with a small proportion of the incorrect base dC opposite the lesion, and they block less strongly than the guanine adducts. We have carried out conformational searches with energy minimization for four DNA duplexes containing 2-OHE1-6alpha-N6-dA, 2-OHE1-6beta-N6-dA, 2-OHE1-6alpha-N2-dG, or 2-OHE1-6beta-N2-dG. Our searches revealed that the four-ring nonplanar 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) moiety strongly prefers to reside in the major groove of the adenine adducts or the minor groove of the guanine adducts in a B-DNA duplex, with stereochemistry-dependent orientational differences in each case. No low energy conformations involving intercalation of the 2-OHE1 moiety were located in the searches. This stems from the largely nonplanar, nonaromatic nature of the 2-OHE1 ring system and implies that the proclivity for such bulky, nonplanar adducts to reside at the DNA helix exterior is a plausible conformational feature of other structurally similar estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts, independent of base sequence context. In addition, the adenine adduct isomers, located in the major groove, manifest serious disturbance to the Watson-Crick base pairs at and near the lesion site, suggesting repair susceptibility. Possible structures of these adducts in a pol alpha family polymerase were also investigated through molecular modeling. The results rationalized the experimental in vitro primer extension studies. In addition, poor accommodation of the beta-stereoisomers within the polymerase was noted, suggesting that these stereoisomers would be more prone to cause blockage. Stereochemistry-dependent differences in adduct orientation could be expected to produce different biochemical effects, as has been observed in adducts derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

DNA Adducts↗

Quantifying estrogen metabolism: an evaluation of the reproducibility and validity of enzyme immunoassays for 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in urine.

Rapid and simple enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) were recently developed to measure 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in unextracted urine. The balance between these competing estrogen metabolism pathways may serve as a biomarker of breast cancer risk. Before testing these assays in epidemiologic studies, we evaluated their reproducibility, and validity relative to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Overnight 12-hr urine collections from five midfollicular premenopausal women, five midluteal premenopausal women, and five postmenopausal women were aliquoted and stored at -70 degrees C. Two aliquots from each woman were assayed with the EIAs in a random, blinded order, monthly over 4 months and 1 year later. Reproducibility over 4 months was good for both metabolites in premenopausal women (coefficient of variation = 8-14%) and satisfactory in postmenopausal women (approximately 19%). Reproducibility over 12 months remained good in premenopausal women, but was poor in postmenopausal women, with mean readings increasing 50 to 100%. Wide variation in estrogen metabolite levels enabled a single EIA measurement to characterize individual differences among premenopausal women in midfollicular (intraclass correlation coefficient = 98-99%) and midluteal phase (85-91%). A narrower range in metabolite levels among postmenopausal women reduced discrimination (78-82%). The correlation between EIA and GC-MS measurement was excellent for both metabolites (r>0.9), except for 2-hydroxyestrone in postmenopausal women (r=0.6). Analysis of absolute agreement suggested that both EIAs were less sensitive than GC-MS, and each detected nonspecific background. The low concentration of estrogen metabolites in urine from postmenopausal women may explain the problems with reproducibility and validity in this menstrual group. Accordingly, more sensitive EIAs have been developed and are now being evaluated.

Adult↗

The relationship between physical activity and 2-hydroxyestrone, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, and the 2/16 ratio in premenopausal women (United States).

OBJECTIVES: Estrogen is metabolized in the body through two mutually exclusive pathways yielding metabolites with different biological activities: the low estrogenic 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and the highly estrogenic 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1). The ratio of these metabolites (2/16) may be predictive of risk for developing breast cancer. Early evidence has demonstrated that exercise may alter estrogen metabolism to favor the weak estrogen, 2-OHE1. METHODS: Seventy-seven eumenorrheic females completed physical activity logs for two weeks prior to providing a luteal phase urine sample. Concentrations of 2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1 were measured and the 2/16 ratio computed. Hierarchical regression, controlling for age and body mass index (BMI), was used to determine relationships between estrogen metabolites and daily physical activity. RESULTS: Regression analyses indicated significant positive relationships between physical activity and 2-OHE1 and the 2/16 ratio (p < 0.05) that appears to be independent of BMI. 16alpha-OHE1 was not significantly related to physical activity. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that physical activity may modulate estrogen metabolism to favor the weak estrogen, 2-OHE1, thus producing a higher 2/16 ratio. This alteration in estrogen metabolism may represent one of the mechanisms by which increased physical activity reduces breast cancer risk.

Adolescent↗

Synthesis of [2H8] estradiol, [2H7] estrone, [2H6] 2-hydroxyestrone and [2H6] 4-hydroxyestrone as internal standards for selected ion monitoring.

The synthesis of [2H8] estradiol, [2H7] estrone, [2H6] 2-hydroxyestrone and [2H6] 4-hydroxyestrone from estrone (as a source) is described. The high isotopical purity renders the labelled compounds as suitable carriers and internal standards for quantitative gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. The content of protonium-form (i.e. natural) estrogens in the labelled derivatives ranged from 0.12% to 2.58%. The performance of these compounds in quantitative assays using selected ion monitoring has been established; and this allows the determination of estrogens from biological material in the lower picogram range.

Deuterium↗

Within-person variability of the ratios of urinary 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in Caucasian women.

The ratio of urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1) has been suggested as a potential biomarker for breast cancer risk. We evaluated within-person variability of this biomarker in ten healthy Caucasian women aged 23-58 years. Each study participant was asked to provide an overnight fasting morning urine sample once a week for an average of 8 weeks. These urine samples were assayed for 2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1 by using competitive enzyme immunoassay kits purchased from the ImmunaCare Corporation. The coefficients of variation for urinary 2-OHE1/16alpha-OHE1 over the study period ranged from 13.7 to 59.6% (mean, 33.3%) in our study participants. There was a good correlation between the level of the urinary 2-OHE1/16alpha-OHE1 ratio in any single urine sample and the average ratio over the 8-week study period from the same woman, with the mean correlation coefficient of 0.85. These results indicated that the within-person variation of the 2-OHE1 to 16alpha-OHE1 ratio for most women was moderate and the level of this ratio in a single urine sample, in general, reflects reasonably well the level of this biomarker over a 2-month period.

Adult↗

Urinary equol excretion in relation to 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone concentrations: an observational study of young to middle-aged women.

Approximately one-third to one-half of individuals harbor the colonic bacteria that are capable of metabolizing the soy isoflavone daidzein to equol. Results of prior studies suggest beneficial effects of producing equol in relation to breast cancer risk, potentially through effects on endogenous hormones. High urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OH E(1)) relative to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OH E(1)) has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. In this pilot study we examined associations between urinary excretion of equol and 2-OH E(1), 16alpha-OH E(1), and their ratio, and investigated whether excretion of these estrogen metabolites differed between two samples collected 48h apart. Isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, O-desmethylangolensin (ODMA), and equol) were measured in two overnight urines from 126 women. Excretion of 2-OH E(1) and 16alpha-OH E(1) were measured in the first overnight urine from all 126 women and in the second overnight urine from 30 of these women; there were no significant differences between samples collected 48h apart in excretion of 2-OH E(1) or 16alpha-OH E(1) (P=0.75 and 0.17, respectively). Among all women, correlations between total isoflavone excretion (sum of genistein, daidzein, ODMA, and equol) and estrogen metabolites were non-significant (P>0.05). Among women with detectable levels of equol, total isoflavone excretion was significantly positively correlated with 16alpha-OH E(1) (r=0.32, P=0.02), but was not correlated with 2-OH E(1) or 2-OH E(1):16alpha-OH E(1) ratio (r=0.21, P=0.14, and r=-0.05, P=0.70, respectively). Equol excretion (adjusted for other isoflavone excretion) was significantly positively correlated with 2-OH E(1):16alpha-OH E(1) ratio (r=0.38, P=0.005), but was not correlated with 2-OH E(1) or 16alpha-OH E(1) (r=0.15, P=0.29, and r=-0.17, P=0.24, respectively). The finding that equol excretion, but not total isoflavone excretion, correlated positively with the 2-OH E(1):16alpha-OH E(1) ratio suggests that the colonic bacterial profile associated with equol production may be involved in estrogen metabolism, and may therefore possibly influence breast cancer risk.

Adult↗

Translesional synthesis on DNA templates containing an estrogen quinone-derived adduct: N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine.

Miscoding properties induced by estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts were analyzed using an in vitro experimental system to quantify base substitutions and deletions. Site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides containing a single N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (2-OHE1-N2-dG) or N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (2-OHE1-N6-dA) were prepared postsynthetically and used as templates in primer extension reactions catalyzed by mammalian DNA polymerases (pol) alpha, beta, and delta. The 2-OHE1-N2-dG adduct blocked primer extension reactions more strongly than 2-OHE1-N6-dA. Using pol alpha and delta, 2-OHE1-N2-dG promoted incorporation of dCMP (6.3 and 3.1%, respectively), the correct base, opposite the lesion: when pol delta was used, misincorporation of dTMP (0.52%) was detected. 2-OHE1-N6-dA also promoted incorporation of dTMP, the correct base, opposite the lesion, accompanied by misincorporation of dCTP (0.54% for pol alpha and 3.2% for pol delta) and one-base deletion (0.3-0.5%). Using pol beta, no miscoding was detected. The miscoding occurred only when replicative DNA polymerases were used. Kinetic data were consistent with those obtained from the analysis of fully extended products formed by pol alpha or pol beta. These results indicate that endogenous estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts have miscoding potential: G --> A and A --> G transitions and deletions are predicted in mammalian cells.

Animals↗

Effects of prune consumption on the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone.

BACKGROUND: A higher urinary ratio of the biologically inactive estrogen metabolite, 2-hydroxyestrone (2OHE1), to the biologically active metabolite, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alphaOHE1), may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. High fiber intake is also associated with decreased breast cancer risk. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of prunes, which are naturally rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, on the concentrations of 2OHE1 and 16alphaOHE1 and on the ratio of 2OHE1 to 16alphaOHE1. DESIGN: Nineteen healthy premenopausal women consumed their habitual diets for 3 menstrual cycles and then consumed 100 g prunes/d for the next 3 cycles. Concentrations of urinary 2OHE1 and 16alphaOHE1 were determined during the follicular and luteal phases. RESULTS: Prune supplementation increased total and soluble fiber intakes by 4 and 2 g/d, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean (+/- SEM) luteal 2OHE1 excretion decreased from 3.92 +/- 0.79 to 2.20 +/- 0.40 nmol/mmol creatinine during the third cycle (P = 0.017). Luteal 16alphaOHE1 excretion decreased from 1.38 +/- 0.24 to 0.87 +/- 0.10 and 0.87 +/- 0.15 nmol/mmol creatinine during the first and third cycles, respectively (P = 0.018 for both values). Follicular 16alphaOHE1 excretion decreased significantly only during the first cycle (from 0.82 +/- 0.12 to 0.45 +/- 0.09 nmol/mmol creatinine; P = 0.005). The 2OHE1-16alphaOHE1 ratio did not change significantly after prune supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Prune supplementation significantly decreased the excretion of 16alphaOHE1 during the follicular phase of the first menstrual cycle and during the luteal phases of both the first and third menstrual cycles. The 2OHE1-16alphaOHE1 ratio did not change significantly. The potential significance of the decrease in 16alphaOHE1 excretion, without a change in the 2OHE1-16alphaOHE1 ratio, on the prevention of estrogen-dependent cancers remains to be determined.

Body Composition↗

Predictors of the plasma ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone among pre-menopausal, nulliparous women from four ethnic groups.

Studies of circulating estrogen levels in relation to pre-menopausal breast cancer risk have yielded inconsistent results. Various estrogen metabolites might affect the risk differently. Estradiol metabolism occurs primarily via two mutually exclusive pathways, yielding 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE). Most, but not all, studies have found that a relatively high 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratio is associated with a low breast cancer risk. Our objective was to determine if the 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratio in plasma correlates with suspected breast cancer risk factors and other lifestyle factors, such as ethnicity, body size, age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, smoking, vegetarian diet, coffee and alcohol consumption in 513 nulliparous women, aged 17-35. Oral contraceptive users had significantly lower 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratios than pill non-users (P = 10(-21)). Among women who were not using oral contraceptives, the median 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratio in plasma was similar for white, black, Indian/Pakistani and Asian women, after adjustment for age and menstrual cycle phase. Among oral contraceptive users, Asian women had significantly lower 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratios than white women, and this result remained after adjustment for age and day of menstrual cycle. Daily coffee consumption was significantly positively correlated with 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratios (r(s) = 0.18, P = 0.002) only among pill non-users. Our findings suggest that the plasma 2-OHE/16alpha-OHE ratio is associated with constitutional factors and with modifiable lifestyle factors. The reported elevated risk of early onset breast cancer among young oral contraceptive users could be mediated in part through altered estrogen metabolism induced by synthetic estrogens and progestins.

Administration, Oral↗

Tissue-selective effects of continuous release of 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone on bone, uterus and mammary gland in ovariectomized growing rats.

2-Hydroxyestrone (2-OHE(1)) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE(1)) have been reported to be risk factors for negative bone balance and breast cancer, respectively. The roles of these two metabolites of estrone as estrogen agonists or antagonists with respect to estrogen target tissues, or both, are poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to characterize metabolite and tissue-specific differences between the actions of hydroxylated estrones on selected reproductive and non-reproductive estrogen target tissues in growing rats. First, the effects of ovariectomy were determined. Ovariectomy had the expected effects, including increases in all dynamic bone measurements at the proximal tibial epiphysis, without induction of bone loss. Second, ovariectomized growing rats were continuously treated for 3 weeks with 2-OHE(1), 16alpha-OHE(1), 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), a combination of E(2) and 2-OHE(1) (E(2)+2-OHE(1)), or a combination of E(2) and 16alpha-OHE(1) (E(2)+16alpha-OHE(1)), using controlled release subcutaneous implanted pellets containing 5 mg 2-OHE(1), 5 mg 16alpha-OHE(1), 0.05 mg E(2) or placebo. E(2) reduced body weight gain and radial and longitudinal bone growth as well as indices of cancellous bone turnover, and increased serum cholesterol, uterine wet weight and epithelial cell height, and proliferative cell nuclear antigen labeling in mammary gland. The hydroxylated estrones did not alter uterine wet weight and 16alpha-OHE(1) antagonized the E(2)-stimulated increase in epithelial cell height. 2-OHE(1) had no effect on cortical bone, whereas 16alpha-OHE(1) was an estrogen agonist with respect to all cortical bone measurements. 16alpha-OHE(1) also behaved as an estrogen agonist with respect to serum cholesterol and cancellous bone measurements. 2-OHE(1) had no effect on most E(2)-regulated indices of cancellous bone growth and turnover, but was a weak estrogen agonist with respect to mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate. Neither estrogen metabolite influenced body weight gain. Third, weanling rats were treated for 1 week with vehicle, E(2) (200 microg/kg per day) or 16alpha-OHE(1) (30, 100, 300, 1000 and 3000 microg/kg per day) to confirm uterotropic effects of daily subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of 16alpha-OHE(1). 16alpha-OHE(1) increased uterine weight in a dose-response manner to values that did not differ from rats treated with E(2). We conclude that the estrogen metabolites 2-OHE(1) and 16alpha-OHE(1) have target tissue-specific biological activities which differ from one another as well as from E(2). These findings add further support to the concept that there are several classes of estrogens with distinct biological activities. Furthermore, differences in the route of administration could influence the tissue specificity of estrogen metabolites.

Animals↗

A new ELISA kit for measuring urinary 2-hydroxyestrone, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, and their ratio: reproducibility, validity, and assay performance after freeze-thaw cycling and preservation by boric acid.

There is considerable controversy regarding the role of estrogen metabolites in breast cancer risk, fueled in part by the development of a rapid ELISA that is suitable for large scale investigations. An earlier version of the ELISA could detect values of the 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1) metabolites as low as 2 ng/ml and produce consistent results in premenopausal urines. However, reproducibility was problematic in postmenopausal urines where concentrations of these compounds are much lower. In response to our concern, a new ELISA was developed with a sensitivity of 0.625 ng/ml, which we evaluated using the same pre- and postmenopausal urine samples analyzed in the earlier ELISA. In this report, we present findings on the new kit with regard to reproducibility of the 2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1 measurements, comparability of results with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy values, and with regard to the stability of the metabolites after repeated freeze-thaw cycles and after preservation by boric acid. For the most part, we found the new ELISA to be reproducible, with assay coefficients of variation ranging from 10 to 20%, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 80 to 95% in both the pre- and postmenopausal urines. ELISA results for 16alpha-OHE1 differed from 1 day (i.e., batch) to the next, and the absolute values of the metabolites obtained by the ELISA were consistently lower than but well correlated with those obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Values of the 2-OHE1:16alpha-OHE1 ratio also differed between the methods, but because the range of values was not large, the magnitude of these differences was not as great. For the ratio, the correlation between methods was excellent, and the ICCs were high for both groups of women. After preservation by boric acid, values of the ratio varied according to acid concentration but not in a linear fashion. Ratio values were similar in urine samples exposed to four different freeze-thaw cycle treatments, although values for all treatments were consistently lower in one batch. Because batch-to-batch variability was not negligible, it is advisable that matched cases and controls be analyzed in the same batch. Provided this is done, the relatively low assay coefficient of variation and high ICC demonstrate that the new ELISA kit can reliably measure the 2-OHE1:16alpha-OHE1 ratio and detect small case-control differences in large population-based studies, where rapid and relatively easy laboratory methods are critical.

Boric Acids↗

Absence of a suppressive effect of 2-hydroxyestrone on hyperprolactinemia in patients with prolactinomas before and after estradiol administration.

The effect of the infusion of 2-hydroxyestrone (125 micrograms/h for 8 h) on plasma PRL levels was investigated before and 64 h after the administration of 1 mg estradiol benzoate in five patients with PRL-secreting pituitary adenomas. There was no effect on the circulating PRL levels measured hourly for 8 h during both episodes of 2-hydroxyestrone infusion, but plasma LH and FSH levels were suppressed. Infusion of 2-hydroxyestrone in two hyperprolactinemic patients with craniopharyngeomas also did not change the circulating PRL levels. We conclude that: 1) 2-Hydroxyestrone does not suppress PRL levels in patients with prolactinomas. This is not caused by the low estrogenic state of these patients, because 2-hydroxyestrone remained ineffective after the administration of estradiol. 2-Hydroxyestrone was also not able to suppress the estradiol-induced stimulation of PRL release. 2) 2-Hydroxyestrone does not diminish PRL levels in patients with suprasellar tumors and hyperprolactinemia. Therefore, infusion of 2-hydroxyestrone cannot be used in the differential diagnosis of hypothalamic and tumoral hyperprolactinemia.

Adult↗

Monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay for simultaneous quantitation of 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone in urine.

Alterations in the metabolism of estrogen have been implicated as an important factor in the etiology of diseases such as gynecological cancers and lupus erythematosus. The major metabolites of estradiol are hydroxylated at the C-2 or C-16 alpha position yielding products with estrogen antagonist and agonist activities, respectively. A sensitive and specific immunodiagnostic assay to determine the balance between these competing pathways might serve as a routine biomarker for management of estrogen-related diseases. We describe here the generation of high affinity, specific murine monoclonal antibodies to 2-hydroxyesterone and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone by high efficiency fusion protocols. With these antibodies, we have developed a rapid and simple enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit for the simultaneous quantitation of 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone in unextracted urine. Initial validation studies established that urinary metabolite 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone concentrations found by the EIA correlate well with values found by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Preliminary studies with the EIA kit found total recovery of metabolites from spiked urine samples. The EIA inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation for 2-hydroxyestrone and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone and the ratio of 2-hydroxyesterone to 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone with the current EIA kit were consistently less than 9%. This kit, designated ESTRAMET 2/16 may provide an important new tool for research in estrogen-related diseases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Formation of covalent adducts between cortisol and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone and protein: possible role in the pathogenesis of cortisol toxicity and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The incubation of albumin with cortisol or 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone results in the formation of covalent steroid-protein adducts. The rate of adduct formation increases in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride (NaCNBH3), indicating that the reaction proceeds nonenzymatically through a Schiff base intermediate. Under nonreducing conditions, a stable adduct forms with cortisol and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone but not with estrone, which lacks a hydroxyl group adjacent to the reactive carbonyl. It is hypothesized that a Heyns rearrangement involving the adjacent hydroxyl group traps the Schiff base and produces a stable ketoamine adduct. The binding of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone and cortisol to albumin is significantly inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid, which has been shown to acetylate an epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue in albumin. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis of an acid hydrolysate of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone-albumin shows that a product containing 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone coelutes with a standard prepared by reacting 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone with the epsilon-amino group of lysine. We propose that the formation of covalent steroid-protein adducts is a generalized phenomenon which may contribute to the pathological effects produced by elevated levels of certain endogenous steroids.

Acetylation↗

Expression of UGT2B7, a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase implicated in the metabolism of 4-hydroxyestrone and all-trans retinoic acid, in normal human breast parenchyma and in invasive and in situ breast cancers.

Glucuronidation, mediated by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), affects the actions and disposition of diverse endo- and xenobiotics. In the case of catecholestrogens (CEs), glucuronidation is likely to block their oxidation to quinone estrogens that are the putative mediators of CEs' actions as initiators of cancers. The goal of this study was to determine whether UGT2B7, the isoenzyme with a high affinity for 4-hydroxyestrone, is expressed in human breast parenchyma. Glucuronidation of 4-hydroxyestrone has relevance to breast carcinogenesis because quinone metabolites of 4-hydroxylated CEs can form potentially mutagenic depurinating DNA adducts, and because in breast tissue estrone is likely to be the predominant estrogen available for 4-hydroxylation. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, immunoblot analyses, and assays of glucuronidation of 4-hydroxyestrone, we show that UGT2B7 is expressed in human mammary epithelium, and that its expression is dramatically reduced in invasive breast cancers. In many in situ carcinomas, however, 4-hydroxyestrone immunostaining was not only preserved but even more intense than in normal mammary epithelium. The finding of reduced UGT2B7 protein and glucuronidation of 4-hydroxyestrone in invasive cancers suggests a tumor-suppressor function for the enzyme. Recent identification of all-trans retinoic acid as a substrate of UGT2B7 suggests that this function includes the generation of retinoyl-beta-glucuronide, a potent mediator of actions of retinoids important for maintaining epithelia in a differentiated state. Current knowledge does not provide any ready explanation for the apparent increase in UGT2B7 expression in carcinomas in situ. However, this finding, together with reduced immunostaining at loci showing breach of the basement membrane (microinvasion), suggests involvement of UGT2B7-catalyzed reaction(s) in protection against invasion of surrounding tissue by cancer cells.

Breast↗

Antiestrogen action of 2-hydroxyestrone on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

The estrogen responsive human breast cancer MCF-7 cell culture was examined for its response to 2-hydroxyestrone a principal metabolite of estradiol. Addition of 2-hydroxyestrone to the cell cultures in concentration of 10(-9) - 10(-6) M had no effect on cell growth and proliferation because of rapid O-methylation of the catechol estrogen by catechol O-methyltransferase which is highly active in these cells. In the presence of quinalizarin, a potent catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitor which reduces the O-methylation of the steroid, 10(-7) M and 10(-8) M 2-hydroxyestrone markedly suppresses the growth and proliferation of the cells. The tumor cell growth-inhibitory action of the catechol estrogen was neutralized by the presence of 10(-9) M estradiol. The catechol estrogen inhibition of cell growth is not observed in the estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330 providing evidence that the inhibition is specific and is estrogen receptor-mediated. In contrast, the 16 alpha-hydroxylated metabolites of estradiol, estriol and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone, are effective stimulators of MCF-7 cell proliferation with the latter exhibiting potency in excess of that expected from its estrogen receptor affinity. The present results represent the first observation of a specific receptor-mediated antiestrogenic action of 2-hydroxyestrone and suggest that the physiological regulation of the agonist activity of the primary estrogen may involve in situ generation of catechol estrogen.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone in urine throughout human pregnancies.

Urinary 2-hydroxyesterone was quantitatively determined in the course of several normal human pregnancies. The urine was subjected to hot acid hydrolysis and after chromatographic purification, 2-hydroxyesterone was converted into the corresponding phenazine derivative, which was submitted to a final column chromatogrphy and then quantitated by UV-spectrometry. For correction of procedural losses 2-hydroxyestrone-4-14C was used as internal standard. The urinary 2-hydroxyestrone of different subjects varied within a wide range especially at mid-pregnancy between 100 and 2500 mug/24 h. The day-to-day variation of the excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone was mostly less than 30% of the total value of that day, but sometimes could even reach 60%. The investigation of 2-hydroxyestrone and total estrogens at regular intervals throughout several pregnancies, showed that the excretion of 2-hydroxyesterone generally reached a maximum during the second trimester, while the excretion of the total estrogens steadily increased up to parturition. When analyzing the urines of different subjects during the last 4 months of pregnancy, no correlation appeared to exist for the excretions of the total estrogens and of 2-hydroxyestrone.

Adult↗